Contact arrangement for electrical power distribution switch or the like

Abstract

A contact arrangement is provided, e.g. of the type that functions as a wiping contact for a moving contact such as a pivotally mounted switch blade in an electrical power distribution switch. The contact arrangement in an illustrative embodiment includes spaced apart contact members that are biased toward each other to define predetermined contact pressure/force characteristics with respect to the interposed moving contact. The contact members in a preferred embodiment include predetermined contact areas and predetermined structural features to minimize deformation due to magnetic forces experienced in the presence of high currents. The structural features are also arranged to define current paths that increase the contact pressure. In a particular embodiment the contact areas are formed on the contact members so as to minimize the size of the moving contact.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A contact arrangement for use in an electrical switch comprising: 
       at least two contact members being generally planar and spaced apart, each of said contact members having a contact area that is defined by a truncated portion of a generally circular shape, the truncation being arranged along an edge of each of said contact members;  
       first means for biasing said contact members toward each other to define a contact gap intermediate said contact members; and  
       second means for structurally strengthening said contact members to reduce bending or deformation of said contact members and for increasing the magnetic forces between said contact members.  
     
     
       2. The contact arrangement of  claim 1  wherein said contact members each define a plane and wherein said second means comprises formed shapes that depart from the plane of said contact members and extend toward each other. 
     
     
       3. The contact arrangement of  claim 2  wherein each of said contact members is mounted at one end thereof opposite a second end at the contact gap and defining a length in a first direction between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
       4. The contact arrangement of  claim 3  wherein each of said contact members defines a width and includes two of said formed shapes arranged across the width thereof. 
     
     
       5. A contact arrangement on a contact member having a contact area that is defined by a truncated portion of a generally circular shape, the truncation being arranged along an edge of said contact member. 
     
     
       6. A contact arrangement for use in an electrical switch comprising: 
       at least two contact members being generally planar and spaced apart, each of said contact members having a contact area that is defined by a truncated portion of a generally circular shape, the truncation being arranged along an edge of each of said contact members;  
       first means for mounting said contact members at one end of each thereof and biasing said contact members toward each other to define a contact gap intermediate said contact members, a length of each of said contact members being defined between said one end and said contact gap; and  
       second means for structurally strengthening said contact members to reduce bending or deformation of said contact members, said second means comprising structural elements being formed in said contact members, said structural elements being defined along the length of each of said contact members and in a direction so as to extend toward one another.